What is the Difference Between True North and Magnetic North?

The difference between True North and Magnetic North lies in their definitions and the way they are used for navigation:

• True North: Also known as Geographic North, True North is a fixed point on the globe, representing the direction towards the North Pole. Maps and directions are usually oriented towards True North.
• Magnetic North: Magnetic North refers to the direction that a compass needle points to as it aligns with the Earth's magnetic field. The Magnetic North Pole is not a fixed point; it shifts and changes over time due to changes in the Earth's magnetic core. Over the last 150 years, the Magnetic Pole has moved north over 1,000 kilometers, and it is currently moving about 10 kilometers yearly.

The angular difference between True North and Magnetic North is known as the "declination" or "variation." It varies according to where you are located on the globe and is marked in degrees on maps. To find the correct direction using a compass, one must account for the magnetic declination, which can be done by adjusting the compass needle accordingly.

Comparative Table: True North vs Magnetic North

The difference between true north and magnetic north is known as magnetic declination. Here's a table comparing the two:

Magnetic declination can be measured by some instruments and is typically added to maps by cartographers. The World Magnetic Model provides data on magnetic declination, which can be used to calculate the difference between true north and magnetic north based on time, longitude, and latitude.